Governance Matters

Welcome to our inaugural Board column. Here we are pleased to provide regular updates on the work of the Board and its sub-committees.

Chaired by Mr Gary Mack, the College Board was pleased to have Director of Senior School (Teaching and Learning), Ms Shannon Armitage, and Acting Director of Junior School, Mr Nic Christie, attend its March meeting and present a review of the College’s ATAR and NAPLAN data. They also had a brief update on the rationale behind the proposed 2026 Senior School Timetable project, and approved management changes to the College’s Delegation of Financial Authority Policy. The Board is also currently actively involved in the recruitment of a new Principal, with the assistance of an east-coast recruitment agent (an education specialist), who met recently with representatives of the Board, Leadership Team, P&F, Old Saints and other community members to progress this important work. The Board is also grateful to our P&F who are assisting with the recruitment process, seeking a P&F nominee with a medical skillset for the current Board vacancy.

Architect Mr Andrew Macliver is the Chair of the Board’s Buildings and Grounds (B&G) Sub-Committee. Most recently, that Committee toured the College’s new Science facilities and received updates on our Wetlands project and EV charging station. Amongst other areas of focus, the B&G Committee continues to explore strategies for the College’s water management, to ensure we are operating within our quota across our vast campus.

Our Finance and Audit Sub-Committee’s Chair is Mr Mark Laybourn and, in addition to reviewing the College’s most recent financial statements, that Committee was pleased to hear a glowing report from our external auditors on our strong financial controls at their May meeting!

In addition to currently reviewing the format of our Risk Register and regularly reviewing our three strategic risk reports (Little Saints, All Saints’ College and The Studio School), the Risk Committee, whose Chair is Mrs Karen Geappen, is reviewing with management the feedback from our inaugural Staff Psychosocial Risk Survey (2024): benchmarked nationally, the ASC/TSS data from this was very positive; however, the tool does provide advice as to areas of continued focus which the College and its Staff Working Party are discussing. The Risk Committee also receives at each meeting an update from the latest meeting of the College’s WHS Committee meeting.

The College thanks our many governance volunteers for sharing with us their expertise and time as part of our shared commitment to prudent stewardship and active sustainability.